Democrat Larsen drops out of county council race

Former Arlington City Councilman Ryan Larsen has abandoned a campaign he launched just last month to run for the Snohomish County Council’s District 1.

The 42-year-old Democrat said Friday that he’s decided instead to focus his attention working as Anacortes’ director of planning, community and economic development. In a statement, Larsen also said he wanted to spend more time with his younger, teenage son.

Larsen said he’ll consider another campaign in the future.

Republicans Ken Klein, an Arlington City Councilman, and Gary Wright, a longtime Marysville real estate agent, have announced plans to run this year for District 1, which covers north Snohomish County.

Democrats had hoped Ryan’s experience and name recognition — he’s the younger brother of U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash. — would help them make inroads in the GOP-leaning district, which covers most of north Snohomish County.

It’s the only one of the five County Council districts currently represented by a Republican. Councilman John Koster has held the job for 12 years, but term limits are forcing him to step down at the end of 2013.